Chapter 2: Wyki vs. Liberty

Curled up against her mother, Misty lay down in the mothers' den. It was nighttime, so the mothers were insisting upon their kids to go to sleep. Campbell and Liberty had put up a fight, but Charlotte had won them over, claiming they wouldn't get to visit Tiggerkat the next day; Tiggerkat often amused the young, so they enjoyed visiting her. Misty looked at Campbell and Liberty, who had their eyes closed, trying to drift off to sleep. Misty turned to look at Adele one last time - she had her eyes closed - before closing her eyes as well, trying to get comfortable.
However, Misty couldn't fall asleep. Her eyes fluttered open, and she examined the room. Everyone was asleep but her. She trotted over to the window looking down on the yard; Airia had always warned her not to sit on the sill, because she didn't want Misty falling. So Misty kept away from the edge.
Maybe I'll go out to the yard, Misty thought. Most likely, the other animals of the Tower were asleep, either that or doing night training or hunting, developing their skills for working in the dark. Misty trotted out of the room and through the hallways, down the stairs. She crept out into the yard, which was empty. It looks so weird without anyone here, Misty thought. Her head lifted up and she looked at the almost-full moon. I wonder where the moon is...
"Misty?"
Perking her ears, Misty looked to see who was coming - Koro, a young male wolf-husky mix, Light's son. Misty had admired Koro's strength; he had been an apprentice for such a little time because he had amazing skills. So did Rhett, Koro's brother. They barely had to train.
"What are you doing out here?" Koro asked.
"Um...I couldn't sleep," Misty admitted.
Koro studied Misty for a while. "Hmm. But you should probably get back to your den."
"Well, what are you doing out here?" Misty shot back.
"I'm going to go get Rhett. He's hunting, and I think he needs to get his sleep," Koro retorted calmly. He then smiled. "I'll take you back to Airia, I guess." He patted Misty with his tail, indicating for her to follow him. Sighing, Misty trotted after the wolf-husky; she felt much smaller standing next to him.
They walked back into The Bending Tower, Misty following reluctantly. They trotted up the stairs and into the hallway. But, Misty then perked her head to see her father, Ash, coming around the corner. "Misty? Koro?" he said, "what are you guys doing up?"
"I went to go get Rhett, and found Misty sitting out there by herself," Koro reported.
"Couldn't sleep?" Ash asked Misty.
Misty shook her head, looking down at her paws.
"That's alright. Koro, you can go get your brother," Ash nodded.
Koro nodded back in respect and trotted away.
"Want to sleep with me?" Ash asked.
Misty nodded. "Okay!" she exclaimed. Misty never really had a lot of time to spend with her father, as he was always busy doing his leader duties and tending to the other animals of The Bending Tower. And when she looked for her dad, he was never to be found; most likely hunting.
They arrived in Ash's den. It was rather big, and had a pool in it for drinking, and a huge window with a view of the yard below and vines decorating the walls of the room. The moonlight shined through the window, illuminating the room. "This room is pretty," Misty said in awe.
"Well, I worked hard to be able to sleep in here," Ash chuckled.
In the corner, someone lifted their head. "Ash?" the silhouette yawned.
"Just bringing in Misty, Raoul," Ash replied. "Couldn't sleep."
"Oh," muttered the silhouette. "G'night." With that, Raoul put his head back on his paws.
As Ash settled himself next to the pool, Misty walked over. "How did you become leader?" she asked.
Ash smiled. "A little nighttime story wouldn't hurt, I guess." He cleared his throat. "When I became deputy, the Firebenders were rulers of The Bending Tower. The deputy before me was a lion named Kabu. Kabu was strong, full of courage and never gave up, even if it meant he had to die. He was forced to retire to the elders, even though he didn't deserve it..." Ash sighed. "Goldwing chose me to be deputy. I thought he'd choose River, though. You know who he is?"
Misty nodded. "Isn't he Rusty and Dust's father or something?"
"Yes," Ash replied. "But I did become deputy. Goldwing - he's your mother's father, actually - was murdered by a Firebender, along with your great-great grandfather, Airwing."
Even though she didn't know this "Goldwing" and "Airwing", immediately Misty felt sorry for them.
"I had to take over," Ash continued. "So I did...I lead The Bending Tower, Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom and a Tribe of non-Benders to the Fire Nation to exile them. And so we did. That's why today, The Bending Tower is at peace. And will be for many more moons."
"G-Good story," Misty said, failing to stifle a big yawn.
"I see you're tired now," Ash chuckled. "Go to sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, dad."


When Misty woke up, she first didn't know where she was - but then remembered she slept with Ash last night. However, when she opened her eyes, Ash wasn't there, neither was Raoul. The sun was in the sky. They probably went to go work, Misty thought, slowly rising to her paws. She yawned and stretched her legs before trotting out of the room and through the hallway, down the stairs and into the yard.
The yard was busy - the total opposite of how it was at night - and filled with animals. Misty spotted Campbell, Adele, Airia and Charlotte sitting by the prey pile. Both of the mothers were deep in conversation, Charlotte laughing, while Campbell was narrowing her eyes and watching...Misty followed her friend's gaze. Sure enough, Campbell was watching Liberty.
Misty watched Liberty; she was currently crouched down, eyes narrowed at Wyki, a black male wolf, with Sirius and Mirage - Wyki's siblings - watching. Apparently Wyki must have challenged Liberty to a play-fight, which Misty knew from watching Liberty in the past was never a good idea. Wyki, Sirius and Mirage had recently been born to Akumu, Flare's mate, so they probably didn't know much about Liberty and her fighting skills yet.
"Your move," Liberty growled.
Wyki narrowed his eyes and lunged at Liberty. However, Liberty simply quick dodged Wyki, and when the male wolf pup landed with a thud, Liberty pinned him down. He struggled to get up, but Liberty kept her paw on him. "Don't try to challenge me again, now."
"Hey!" Mirage exclaimed, jumping at Liberty. "That's my brother!"
Liberty easily jumped out of Mirage's way, making Mirage miss.
"And apparently both of you couldn't even fight a mouse," Liberty said coldly.
Sirius snickered.
"You're supposed to help us," Wyki pointed out to Sirius. "We're your brothers."
"My very annoying brothers at that," Sirius insisted.
"Liberty is good!" whispered Ekaj - Slice's pup.
Malroy, Ekaj's brother, nodded. "I wish I could fight like that."
"And you probably couldn't, with your bad eye and all," Ekaji pointed out.
Misty felt sympathy for Malroy - he had a bad eye that made it very difficult for him to see. He was born with it, and it made his training more difficult, from what Misty had heard from Lephos and Sidew.
Misty turned her attention back to Liberty and Wyki. "Whatever," Wyki was growling. "Trust me, one day, I will be able to knock you halfway across the territory."
Liberty snorted. "And mice might fly."
"Burn," muttered Ekaj.
Wyki narrowed his eyes and stalked away, Mirage and Sirius trailing after.

Author's Note:
Yay, pointless chapters. :D
Oh, and check my new story.
Also, look at Misitu's Art Central. It has a new look. :3